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Non-Conforming Use / Establishment of a Non-Conforming Use
General Information

A non-conforming use is a use of property not currently permitted in the zoning district in which it is located. The Planning Commission has the authority to grant legal nonconforming status to a use that does not meet the requirements for administrative approval but has been in existence for at least 10 years. The Planning Commission is a 21-member citizen board appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. Their eight-member Zoning Committee holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation to the full Planning Commission. All property owners within 350 feet of the subject property and the Citizen Participation District Council for the area are notified by mail at least 10 days prior to the public hearing.

The Zoning Committee holds public hearings every other Thursday. The hearings start at 3:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the third floor of the City Hall/ Courthouse. It is essential that the applicant or their representative attend the hearing. At the public hearing, the Zoning Committee hears a staff report and recommendation based on the review of the special conditions required by the zoning code, hears public testimony and makes a recommendation on the request. The Planning Commission receives the recommendation of their Zoning Committee at its next meeting, 8:30 a.m. on the Friday of the following week, when they approve or deny the application. This is a public meeting, but no public testimony can be heard.


Code Requirements

Before the Planning Commission can grant a Nonconforming Use Permit, they must make the following findings:

  • The use occurs entirely within an existing structure;
  • The use is similar to other uses permitted within the district;
  • The use has been in existence continuously for a period of at least 10 years prior to the application;
  • The off-street parking is adequate to serve the use;
  • Hardship would result if the use were discontinued;
  • Rezoning the property would result in "spot" zoning or a zoning inappropriate to the surrounding land uses;
  • The use will not be detrimental to the existing character of development in the immediate neighborhood or endanger the public health, safety, or general welfare;
  • The use is consistent with the comprehensive plan; and
  • That a notarized petition of two-thirds of the property owners within 100 feet of the property has been obtained stating support for the use.

The Planning Commission may impose such reasonable conditions and limitations in granting an approval as are determined to be necessary to fulfill the spirit and purpose of the zoning code and to protect adjacent properties.

The Planning Commission may act as the Board of Zoning Appeals and grant Zoning Variances in accordance with the variance provisions in the zoning code for proposals that also require a Nonconforming Use Permit.


Application Requirements

You must submit an application that includes the following:

  • A completed Nonconforming Use Permit Application Form, including evidence that all of the required conditions are met. This includes evidence that the use has been in existence for ten years, evidence of hardship, floor plans, site plans, and other information to substantiate the case. If the application is for a permit to grant legal nonconforming status for a duplex or triplex, contact the Zoning Section for additional information needed with the application.
  • The completed Zoning Consent Petition Form from adjoining property owners and the Notarized Affidavit signed by the individual circulating the petition. A private title company or the Zoning Section can assist in obtaining names and addresses of the fee owners within 100 feet of the property. There will be a fee for this service.
  • The required Fee

Please submit the above with:
Department of Planning and Economic Development
Zoning Section
1400 City Hall Annex
25 Fourth Street West
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266 - 6589

All items to be placed on an agenda must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the hearing date, according to the Planning Commission Hearing Schedule. The process for obtaining a Nonconforming Use Permit takes a minimum of four to six weeks.

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